The U.S. men’s national team was heavily represented in Wednesday’s Best XI for the CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson headlined the seven USMNT players named to the all-tournament team, CONCACAF announced Wednesday. Matt Turner, Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Haji Wright were also chosen to the XI after the USMNT defeated Mexico 2-0 in Sunday’s tournament final.
Mexico and Jamaica each had two players named apiece.
Reyna earned Player of the Tournament honors after scoring once and assisting twice in the Final Four. The Nottingham Forest midfielder set up Haji Wright twice in a 3-1 semifinal victory over Jamaica before scoring an insurance goal against Mexico.
McKennie started both matches in Gregg Berhalter’s midfield, earning an assist on Tyler Adams’ winner vs. Mexico. He excelled on both sides of the field in both matches.
Robinson was a live wire on both ends of the field, starting at left back against both the Reggae Boyz and El Tri. The Fulham defender continues to be one of the more important contributors in the USMNT squad.
Wright came off the bench and scored two goals in the semifinal win over Jamaica. The Coventry City forward started against El Tri, and although did not get on the scoresheet, delivered a hardworking shift.
Adams scored a stunning goal against Mexico in the final, which marked his second senior international tally for the USMNT. In his international return, Adams worked tirelessly in both matches.
Pulisic was a creative spark for the USMNT, totaling seven shots over the semifinal and final. The AC Milan attacker was constantly a thorn in El Tri’s side, helping set up Reyna’s insurance goal.
Turner earned the Nations League Golden Glove award after keeping a clean sheet against El Tri. He totaled four saves in both matches.
Here’s a closer look at the full Best XI:
Concacaf Nations League Finals Best XI
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner (USMNT)
Defenders: Antonee Robinson (USMNT), Cesar Montes (Mexico), Michael Hector (Jamaica), Dexter Lembikisa (Jamaica)
Midfielders: Weston McKennie (USMNT), Tyler Adams (USMNT) Edson Alvarez (Mexico).
Forwards: Christian Pulisic (USMNT), Haji Wright (USMNT), Gio Reyna (USMNT).
There’s a nice article on one of the big Dortmund news blogs advocating for Reyna “incorporating him into a regular place in the squad while further developing him.” And using words like “immensely talented”, “difference maker”, “potential to be an integral part of this squad”, “let him be the star he is supposed to be”….while describing Terzic as “stubborn” and wondering if he “ever really considered Reyna a possible starter” due to his favoring certain players. All of this under a picture of Reyna holding up th NL and PoT trophies.
Yeah Reyna did well for himself this international break.
That’s awesome, thx for sharing
Journalist or fans? Fans always love the guys not playing! (example: Julian Green)
Lol…to be technical it’s a fan opinion piece but on one of the main outlets for Dortmund news. Still to have an outlet that gets that many views by BVB fans voice an opinion like that…well, it’s hopeful in my book. As Dortmund fan I’d love to see him get a real shot there but it doesn’t seem he has the backing of the rest of the players since he lost his buddy Haaland (man, they were a great act on and off the field. So funny).
I think he will need to find a new home and I don’t know where he could go and be showcased. Maybe he can replace Wirtz at Gladbach once he inevitably moves on to Bayern. There were rumblings of a loan there last summer.
Gio and Bellingham were also pretty tight. He was very complimentary about Gio after the final.
Imagine if Erling and Gio can make their way to Real Madrid. A big makeover seems likely at BVB.
If Terzic survives it, then Gio is probably gone.
If Terzic is gone then there’s a chance Gio might be an important piece. He’s not the only young player with issues with Terzic.
It’s not like Reyna didn’t produce when given his opportunities under this manager. As they do, he’s simply made up his mind and doesn’t favor Gio. But, Terzig has underachieved given the talent he has on hand. They absolutely choked away a golden opportunity at a title under him and he’s also managed to take Dortmund from being a very entertaining, watchable team to a frustrating, snooze fest that seems to leak goals in the worst possible moments. I won’t be surprised if they have a new manager in which case Reyna’s situation- prospects at a great club immediately look better. If nothing else- the NF debacle may have taught him the grass is not always greener.